Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Incident Code

CS1620 RS2629

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

المجاودة, Al Mjawda, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.150000, 40.270000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to 12 civilians were killed in an airstrike on the town of Mjawda. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others attributed blame to the US-led Coalition.

Both the Violations Documentation Center and Euphrates Post identified eight victims of the attack – while VDC-SY identified the Coalition as the culprit, Euphrates stated that Russian aircraft were behind the attack.

According to a tweet by @ahraralmyadein, aircraft had deployed 15 missiles on the town.

SyrianPC reported warplanes launched more than 20 air raids on villages and towns in eastern Deir Ezzor. According to the outlet, Russian warplanes committed the most terrible massacres against civilians in the east of countryside of Deir al-Azzur, as part of his fierce campaign against the region.

Euphrates Post, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Baladi News confirmed that Russia was the culprit, with the latter outlet noting that: Seven civilians were killed on Wednesday by aerial bombardment of aircraft believed to be Russian. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the highest tally of 12 civilians killed, including three women and a child – while Albokmal News specifically stated in a tweet that “there are no casualties.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Khalif Makhlaf Mohammed Al-Issa
Adult male Via Euphrates Post killed
Aisha Mohammed Al-Sheha
Adult female Via Euphrates Post killed
Rasha Khalaf Makhlaf al-Issa
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Omar Khalif Makhlaf Al-Issa
Age unknown male Via Euphrates Post killed
Hanaa Ali al-Awad (wife of Ammar
Adult female Via Euphrates Post killed
Tasnim Ammar Khalif Makhlaf Al-Issa
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Raheeq Ammar Khalif Makhlaf Al-Issa
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Aa’ishah Ammar Khalif Makhlaf Al-Issa
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • (1–4 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike on the town of Mjawda, October 11, 2017 (Via Baladi news)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Oct. 11, 2017, in Al Mjawda, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3156/CS1620 No MGRS Given

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 10th – 11th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS vehicles and two trailers.”

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • (1–4 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2623

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

صبيخان, Sabikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.85305, 40.59987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, including one woman and two children, were killed and several were wounded following aerial and ground shelling of Sabikhan village, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Without identifying the culprit, Euphrates Post reported that Sabikhan had been subjected to “more than 15 airstrikes”. Meanwhile, other sources added that ground-launched missiles also had struck the village. Smart News noted “artillery shelling” and @olay6663 reported the use of “rocket launchers” on the village.

The highest number of fatalities was reported by Jsirtv who put the death toll at four civilians, including two children. Several sources reported the death of three civilians, one adult woman and two adult men, the latter two supposedly from the same family. Some sources only reported about one male victim, Fikri al-Muhaidi al-U’daili.

It should be noted that the Syrian Human Rights Committee said that Fikri al-Muhaidi al-U’daili only was left wounded, while several other sources reported his death.

Moreover, all sources reported that the incident took place on October 11th. However, one source, Syrian Human Rights Committee, reported that the three of the victims were killed on October 12th.

Finally, it is unclear among the reports who carried out the attack, as sources pointed to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Saleh Ali al-Hosain
Adult male killed
Omer Saleh Ali al-Hosain
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Fikri al-Muhaidi al-U’daili
Age unknown male killed
Wife of Thabet al-Jaleed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2625

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

القورية, Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.96, 40.55 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 20 and as many as 40 civilians, including women and children, were killed and “dozens” were left wounded following alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes on the border crossing between the towns of al-Qouriya and al-Tayana, multiple local media reported.

Referred to as a “massacre”, several sources reported a death toll between 30 and 40 along with the dozens of wounded, who also counted women and children.

The lowest number of victims was reported by @AJA_Syria and Step News Agency who reported about at least 20 fatalities. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) initially reported 16 fatalities, but later added that at least 21 had been killed.

Other sources, such as Al Qouriya United Media Centre, said that the strikes had killed more than 40 civilians.

Baladi News cited a journalist from Deir al-Zour 24 who reported that “the number of martyrs of the massacre of the Qouriya crossing yesterday (October 11th, 2017)  increased to about 40 civilian martyrs and dozens of others were injured,”.

A total of 19 victims were identified by name by several sources, hereof at least one child, two women and five confirmed adult men.

All sources who identified a culprit pointed to Russia, though there was some confused reporting from the Syrian Network for Human Rights. In its initial report, the Network blamed “Syrian-Russian warplanes”, but in a subsequent report appeared to change its position, pointing solely to Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Saifi al Khaled
Age unknown male killed
Nephew of Saifi al Khaled
Age unknown male killed
Nephew of Saifi al Khaled
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Son of Ibrahim al-Hamadi
Age unknown male killed
Son of Ibrahim al-Hamadi
Age unknown male killed
Son of Ibrahim al-Hamadi
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Jassem al Jiwar
Age unknown male also known as Abu Ahmad killed
Yasin Al-Abd Al-Rahman
Age unknown male killed
Amsha al-Attiyah al-Ja'ed
Age unknown female killed
Mahmud
Child male killed
Rashid Al Mansour
Age unknown male killed
Abdul-Ali al Azzab
Age unknown male killed
The daughter of Attiya al Hamad al Ja’ed
Age unknown female killed
Ali al Muhiya Al-Hantawi
Age unknown male killed
Son of Mohammad al Awda
Age unknown male killed
Khalil al-Ali al-Sayer
Adult male killed
Younis Al-Abd al-Rahman Al Housh
Adult male killed
Saifi al-Khalid Shuwaikh Abu Majid
Adult male killed
Abdel Aziz Hamoud al-Kalib
Adult male Died on November 2nd due to wounds he sustained in this incident killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 40
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The moment the alleged Russian airstrikes hit al-Qouriya on October 11th, 2017 (via Al Qouriya United Media Centre)
  • Jassem al Jiwar, also known as Abu Ahmad, was reportedly among the victims following the alleged Russian airstrikes that hit al- Qouriya on October 11th, 2017 (via Al Qouriya United Media Centre)
  • Khalil al-Ali al-Sayer was reportedly among the victims following the alleged Russian airstrikes that hit al- Qouriya on October 11th, 2017 (via Abuheba.karaani)
  • Younis Al-Abd al-Rahman Al Housh was reportedly among the victims following the alleged Russian airstrikes that hit al- Qouriya on October 11th, 2017 (via Sons of Euphrates)
  • Saifi al-Khalid Shuwaikh Abu Majid was reportedly among the victims following alleged Russian airstrikes that hit al- Qouriya on October 11th, 2017 (via Ramadan Karim Hamadi)
  • Abdel Aziz Hamoud al-Kalib reportedly died two weeks after the incident in al-Qouriya on October 11th, 2017, due to the serious wounds he inflicted that day (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 40
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2627

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

الطيبة, al-Taybah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.08831, 38.914261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in airstrikes in al-Taybah in Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though sources didn’t identify the culprit.

One of the two sources reporting from the incident merely reported  airstrikes, not  civilian harm, while the other, Euphrates Post, reported the death of two named civilians.

While no belligerent was associated with the incident it is worth noting that Russia was active in Deir Ezzor on this time, as noted in preceding events.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Jamal Mahmoud Obaidi Al-Sallan,
Age unknown male killed
Qais Nasr Al-Dibis
Age unknown Nephew of Jamal Mahmoud Obaidi Al-Sallan killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2628

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

العباس, Al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three and as many as 20 civilians were killed and several wounded as Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes struck a water-crossing between-Abbass village and Hajeen city in al Abbas village, Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

The highest number of fatalities was reported by Al Qouriya Media Centre, who referred to the incident as a “massacre”, reporting that 20 civilians had been killed in al-Abbas.

While other sources put the death toll at three or four, a total of nine male victims were identified by name by multiple sources.

Only a few sources identified a culprit. The facebook account “Hasan Hamed”, whose cousins were among the victims, and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russia. Meanwhile, Al Qouriya Media Centre reported that both the Syrian regime and Russia were behind the attack.

 

The incident occured at approximately 9:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Rahma Allah Faris al-Hamad al-Mugheer
Adult male killed
Khader al-Faris al-Mughir
Age unknown male son of Rahma Allah Faris al-Hamad al-Mugheer killed
Ragheb Al-Faris Al-Mughir
Age unknown male son of Rahma Allah Faris al-Hamad al-Mugheer killed
Khalid Al-Faris Al-Mughi
Age unknown male son of Rahma Allah Faris al-Hamad al-Mugheer killed
Mohammed al-Muhammed al-Mughir
Age unknown male killed
Fares al-Hamad Al-Obeid al-Mughir
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Amer Shrabi Hamid
Adult male killed
Nasser Salem Al-Hamid
Adult male killed
Mohammed Salem Al-Hamid
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Fayyad Hamdan al-Saleh
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 20
  • (1 child7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • The moment the contested airstrikes hit al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th, 2017 (via @DeirEzzor24)
  • The moment the contested airstrikes hit al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th, 2017 (via @AlSharqia24)
  • Image published along with the report about the death of Rahma Allah Faris al-Hamad al-Mugheer and his three sons following the contested strikes in al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th 2017. It is unclear which of the victims this image depicts (via Abdallah Al Askar Facebook)
  • Image published along with the report about the death of Rahma Allah Faris al-Hamad al-Mugheer and his three sons following the contested strikes in al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th 2017. It is unclear which of the victims this image depicts (via Abdallah Al Askar Facebook)
  • Image published along with the report about the death of Rahma Allah Faris al-Hamad al-Mugheer and his three sons following the contested strikes in al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th 2017. It is unclear which of the victims this image depicts (via Abdallah Al Askar Facebook)
  • Image published along with the report about the death of Rahma Allah Faris al-Hamad al-Mugheer and his three sons following the contested strikes in al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th 2017. It is unclear which of the victims this image depicts (via Abdallah Al Askar Facebook)
  • Amer Shrabi Hamid, who reportedly was killed by the contested strikes in al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th 2017 (via ALQURIAHCINTER)
  • Mohammed Al-Salem Al-Hamid, who reportedly was killed by the contested strikes in al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th 2017 (via ALQURIAHCINTER)
  • Nasser Salem Al-Hamid, who reportedly was killed by the contested strikes in al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th 2017 (via ALQURIAHCINTER)
  • Fayyad Hamdan al-Saleh, one of the wounded by the contested airstrikes in al-Abbas, Deir Ezzor, October 11th, 2017 (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 20
  • (1 child7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2630

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

التح, Toh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.539525, 36.725383 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes, allegedly carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia in Tah village on the southern countryside of Idlib, wounded several civilians, including women, local media reported.

Multiple sources reported that the airstrikes, taking place on the night of Wednesday, October 11th, caused significant civilian harm, but didn’t result in any fatalities. HalabTodayTV noted that several women were among the wounded.

According to Orient News, “warplanes targeted the town of Tah in Idlib on Wednesday night [Oct 11th] with several air raids, causing great damage in the town and wounding a number of residents, including displaced people from outside the town.”

Large parts of the village were left destroyed as depicted in footage from the aftermath of the strikes.

Not many sources identified a culprit. However, a few, including Smart News Agency and @Razak0000 attributed the incident to Russia. Yet, the strikes remain contested as Orient News reported that both Russia and the Syrian were behind.

 

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage from the aftermath of the contested strikes in Toh, Deir Ezzor, October 11th, 2017, where large parts of the city is left destroyed (via Barada Network)
  • Footage from the aftermath of the contested strikes in Toh, Deir Ezzor, October 11th, 2017, where large parts of the city is left destroyed (via Orient News)
  • Footage from the aftermath of the contested strikes in Toh, Deir Ezzor, October 11th, 2017, where large parts of the city is left destroyed (via Qasioun News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1619 RS2624

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Thirteen civilians reportedly died, including seven children and five women, following an attack on Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, while others blamed Russia.

At present, the culpable party remains unclear. The majority of sources alleged or suspected that Russia was responsible. However, the US-led Coalition received one allegation. Moreover, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: it was not known whether the warplanes that targeted Abu Kamal city belong to the Coalition or the Russians. In addition, Euphrates Post’s initial assessment referred to explosive barrel bombs, and so the Regime also cannot be ruled out as a suspect.

13 Victims were listed by Euphrates Post as well as a family member by the name of Ja’far Al Rawa.

Baladi placed the death toll lower than most saying that “Eight civilians, including children and women from one family, were killed on Wednesday by coalition shelling targeting their home near Omar Mosque in the town of Abu Kamal, east of Deir al-Zour.” The source added that the aircraft targeted the city in a number of raids; centred on the vicinity of Aisha hospital and near the Mosque of Al-Hadi and Omar Mosque in Abu Kamal.

Al Jazeera said that one girl remained trapped under the rubble, with other reports suggesting many others were wounded, some in a critical condition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (13)

Ahmed Saleh Al-Rawai
Adult male Via Euphrates Post killed
Hanan Al-Razaj
Adult female Via Euphrates Post killed
Rouba Ahmad Al-Rawi
female Via Euphrates Post killed
Rana Ahmed Al Rawi
Age unknown female via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
Kinda Ahmed Al-Rawi
Age unknown female killed
Rana and Kinda’s child 1
Age unknown killed
Rana and Kinda’s child 2
Age unknown killed
Rana and Kinda’s child 3
Age unknown killed
Rana and Kinda’s child 4
Age unknown killed
Rana and Kinda’s child 5
Age unknown killed
Wife of Riad Ahmad al-Rawi
Adult female killed
The child of Riad Ahmad al-Rawi
female killed
Naba’ Manhal Al-Rawi
Child female

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 14
  • (6 children6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A picture reveals the destruction of a civilian house following an airstrike on Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, on October 11, 2017 (Via Euphrates Post)
  • A picture shows the destruction and smoke rising from the scene of reported Coalition or Russia airstrike on Abu Kamal, Deir Ez-Zor, October 11, 2017 (via Syria NPC)
  • A picture shows the destruction in a civilian house following Coalition or Russia airstrike on Abu Kamal, Deir Ez-Zor, October 11, 2017 (via Syria hr)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Abu Kamal (البوكمال), for which the coordinates are: 34.466049, 40.907593. One source mentions that residential houses were struck in the vicinity of the Omar (عمر) mosque, however, due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.  

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 10th – 11th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS vehicles and two trailers.”

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 14
  • (6 children6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2626

Incident date

October 12, 2017

Location

شنان, Shanan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.730271, 36.619461 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of two civilians, one child and one adult man, following the bombing of the al-Shanan – al-Tayana crossing in Deir Ezzor, though none of the sources identified the responsible party.

This incident is likely to be the same as another reported incident (R2468) where strikes hit the al-Qouriya – al-Tayana crossing in Deir Ezzor.  This incident, however, took place on October 11th, while sources reported about this one on October 12th and 13th.

Currently, there are no further details available.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saadoun al-Muhsen al-Ahmad al-Ali al-Bayni
Adult male killed
Suhaib Abdullah Al-Mousa
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A civilian man, Saadoun al-Muhsen al-Ahmad al-Ali al-Bayni, was reportedly killed by unidentified warplanes striking in Shanan, Deir Ezzor, October 12, 2017 (via Saad Ibn Al Furat)

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]